In the wake of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing, the future ofrockmusicfeels uncertain. There aren’t many artists with as great of an impact on a single genre, but Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s impact on heavy metal is something that will continue to be felt for decades to come.
Prior to the death of the Prince of Darkness, thousands of fans, musicians, and peers gathered at Birmingham’s Villa Park to celebrate his monumental career, bothas a solo artistand as a member of Black Sabbath.Back To the Beginningfeatured performances by legends like Metallica, Steven Tyler, and Guns N' Roses, but one tribute stood out above the rest.
Yungblud, an artist widely known for his eccentric style and pop-punk sound, was a last-minute addition to the line-up. Despite minimal preparation, he performed in front of an audience filled with those who either had never heard of him or claimed to despise him with Freddie Mercury levels of showmanship. His rendition of “Changes” by Black Sabbath already holds an entirely new meaning.
Yungblud Vows To Perform “Changes” At Every Future Show
The Song & Osbourne’s Death Marks A Clear Turning Point In His Career
Since 2018, Yungblud, AKA Dominic Harrison, has released music true to his time growing up in Doncaster, England. His spunky personality and brutally honest lyrics quickly attracted the attention of young people all around the world who identified with what he stood for. He wears eyeliner, pink socks, and lets his hair run wild, but what lies beneath the surface?
It should come as no surprise that Birmingham’s Prince of Darkness is Yungblud’s greatest influence. In both his everyday life and his creative ventures,he cites Osbourne as his inspiration, allowing him to accept the qualities that often made him feel different from his peers.
In a statement posted to Instagram on July 24 following Osbourne’s death,Yungbludsaid:
You have been my North Star for everything for as long as I can remember, from when I was misunderstood as a child to the way people thought I was just a little “too much” or “strange” in my life and career.
… I promise you with all my heart I will try my best and make it my life’s journey to keep the spirit that you started and what you have taught me alive.
I will give it my best shot.
To sing this song for you at an event surrounded by legends inspired by you to a crowd that loved you was truly my life’s greatest honour andI vow to play this song every night for the rest of my life.
You’re my hero in every regard. I hope you’re up there avin a drink with Randy.
For the prince of darkness you sure brought all the light to the world. I love you Ozzy.
Not only does Yungblud prove his authenticity as a lifelong fan of Osbourne, but heexplicitly vows to perform “Changes” at every show for the rest of his life, dedicating a portion of his own setlist to the artist who made it all possible in the first place.
A Rock Star For A New Generation Is Rising In Front Of Our Eyes
His Recent Album Is All The Proof Anyone Needs
After his memorable performance, many heavy metal fans flocked to YouTube and streaming services to check out Yungblud’s music. Instead of being met with the pop-punk music that many of these fans wouldn’t have taken seriously,they were met withIdols, his latest album released just two weeks before Back To the Beginning.
For this album, he sat down with Matt Schwartz, his longtime co-writer and producer, and stepped back from the pre-made beats they typically began a session with. They decided to create this album the same way their greatest inspirations did: with an acoustic guitar, a pen, and paper. What came from these sessions is arguably Yungblud’s greatest achievement so far.
Idolsis a rock album through and through. “Zombie” is a stadium-worthy anthem reminiscent of “Cancer” by My Chemical Romance. The rest of the tracklist features everything from the bouncy instrumental of “Lovesick Lullaby” to one of the most epic album openers in “Hello Heaven, Hello” at just over nine minutes long.
For those wondering what the future of rock would look like in a world without Osbourne, it’s safe to say thatYungbludwelcomes everyone into his world and proudly accepts the torch.
